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Missouri fires defensive coordinator Cross following loss to South Carolina

Denny Medley / USA TODAY Sports

It didn't take long for the proverbial ax to fall on the first coaching victim of the regular season, as Missouri head coach Barry Odom announced Sunday that Tigers defensive coordinator DeMontie Cross has been relieved of his duties, according to Dave Matter of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

"I am very appreciative of all that DeMontie has done for Mizzou, and am sorry that this did not work out, however, after careful evaluation, I believe it is important to make this change now," Odom said in his statement.

An unnamed source close to the decision stated that Cross' dismissal had "zero to do with on-field performance," according to Matter, although no official reason was given.

Cross was hired by Odom prior to the 2016 season when Odom was named head coach of the Tigers following the retirement of former head coach Gary Pinkel. Cross also coached the Tigers' inside linebackers.

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